From the time she was a small child, Shanna knew she wanted to work with children in some form. Shanna attended college at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo with the anticipation to become an elementary school teacher. Shanna started her career in Child Development as a School Readiness Coordinator. She worked with parents, school personnel, preschool teachers, and children. She wrote grants and developed curriculum to expand services and quality early childhood experiences to children ages 0-5. Shanna taught infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, monitored preschools and assisted preschool staff in creating optimal environments for their children based on Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scales. Shanna also did contract work for various agencies to implement preschool-like opportunities for children in Inyo and Mono Counties.
Shanna began her own private preschool in 2009. She felt that her experience and expertise in the area of teaching and early childhood environments could benefit children in the Bishop area. She opened her doors as a private preschool out of her home, soon after she sought out expansion opportunities to partner with other local agencies to provide more high quality early childhood experiences to a greater audience. Her partnership with Great Steps Ahead allowed for a natural environment for both typically developing and children with learning differences.
Shanna believes in a hands-on, play based philosophy of early childhood education. Play based preschool is a type of facilitated play that enhances all academic areas through interest of the child’s. Shanna’s time with the children consists of outdoor play, freedom to explore ideas and concepts of the child’s, art, cooking, reading, singing, field trips and a safe healthy environment. She enjoys watching the children explore and develop a love through learning by making every moment in school fun and meaningful!
Shanna holds a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Elementary Education and Spanish. She also holds a Master of Arts in Education specializing in Early Childhood Education and a Directors Permit issued through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Shanna currently is the chair of the Local Child Care Planning Council, a Kodo Kids Collaborator, sits on the Scholastic Book Clubs Review board, and serves on the Cerro Coso Child Development Advisory Board.
